Mariano playing coy about retirement plans

TAMPA, Fla. — Closer Mariano Rivera said he's reached a decision on whether this will be his final season and plans to announce it before opening day.

The Associated Press

TAMPA, Fla. — Closer Mariano Rivera said he's reached a decision on whether this will be his final season and plans to announce it before opening day.

"Yes, I have," Rivera said Wednesday after the Yankees' first spring training workout for pitchers and catchers. "But again, I will tell you guys when I think it's the right moment."

Baseball's career saves leader had surgery June 12 to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, an injury that occurred while he was shagging fly balls during batting practice in Kansas City on May 3.

The 43-year-old right-hander expects to be ready for the regular season. He threw 25 pitches off a bullpen mound and said it felt good.

"It was wonderful to be out there again," Rivera said.

When asked on a scale of one to 10 how the knee currently is, Rivera said, "around nine, for sure."

He added: "The other point will be the running that I do here."

Rivera wore a small, light-weight brace during Wednesday's workout, which had him also take part in fielding drills, including covering first base. He is planning to use a brace in games this year.

Rivera will continue shagging fly balls in batting practice, an activity that has the approval of Yankees manager Joe Girardi.

"That's part of who he is," Girardi said. "So, I don't want to take it away from him."